Indianapolis Lakes

Lakes Close to Indianapolis

It’s summertime and that means it’s time to plan your next family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Indianapolis. As it turns out, when you visit Indianapolis there are quite a few options when it comes to spending time on the lake.

It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking to float in a tube with a book, get active with wakeboarding, go for a swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Indianapolis offer you lots of opportunities for aquatic adventures. Take a look at the table below to have a look the options including swimming lakes to all sports lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Nearby Lakes for Indianapolis

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip, or a longer trip gives you an almost boundless list of activities for families, couples, or even those looking for some quiet time.

A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Hit the water and go tubing or skiing as the local lakes give you a number of options.

Picnic time. Indianapolis’s lakes provide all sorts of great picnic areas for you to pack up some tasty treats, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy as you enjoy the view. Should you be with someone you want to impress, this plan should put a smile on their face.

Fishing. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or tossing a line in from the dock.

Lake Checklist

A day at the lake can be very different based on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. While every trip is its own animal, we took the time to make a list for some ideas for your lake getaway so everything goes smoothly!

The basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the weekend, our list of provisions below should be an excellent place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Bathing suits
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Dry shirt
  • Food and snacks
  • Towels
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Insect repellant
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • A beach blanket and umbrella

More lake gear

Depending on the itinerary when at the water and who will be joining you, the list of gear will likely be helpful and worth packing before you get on the road.

  • Masks and snorkels
  • Tackle box
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Corkscrew
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Fishing gear
  • Worms or other bait

Lake Safety Checklist

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, everyone’s safety is the most important part of your getaway. Here are some general tips that will ensure that you and your family are always safe while around the lake.

  • Always wear sunblock
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft

More Indianapolis Lake Tips

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes around Indianapolis, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your weekend gameplan much more rewarding. Case in point, each individual lake near Indianapolis is going to have their own environment so it’s important to consider what you need to make a memorable adventure when planning yours.

  1. Make the most of unique local resources. When there’s time for a longer getaway, find local state campgrounds and parks which give you the option to stay near or even on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Do homework on the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches might be packed with beachgoers. If you want more space to yourself, research a variety of lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!
  3. Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will usually allow you to find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.